To further thicken the plot I know that in the 80 s and later standard
numbering for all Beaverton made models began with B010100.
The first production unit made would carry that serial number. I was told
this was to confuse the competition so they would have difficulty tracking
how many units of a particular type had been made.
Not sure about the other countries. But al the Sony/TEK made stuff I ever
saw began with a J.